Know your farmer

A DIFFERENT KIND OF BEEF

Our goal is to provide Minnesotans with a better beef experience through improved taste, texture, nutrition, and value. Read below to find out how.

A BETTER KIND OF BEEF

THE BREED

The Scottish Highland breed has been left relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. They are not animals designed for feedlot fattening. They excel at converting grass to high quality meat. Scottish Highland beef has been shown to be lower in cholesterol and fat than conventionally raised commercial breeds.

THE FEED

Cattle have evolved to live on a diet of grass and other natural forage. Grass-fed beef contains 15 mg more omega-3 fatty acids per 3.5 oz. serving than feedlot raised beef.Ardent Acres beef is grass-fed with only a marginal amount of grain fed during animal handling to reduce animal stress. Additionally, all Ardent Acres beef is raised without artificial hormones or antibiotics.

THE CARE

The handling methods and facilities of Ardent Acres Farm are designed with animal welfare and farmer safety in mind. Minimizing animal stress reduces hormone levels and results in tender, tasty beef.

THE PROCESSING

All Ardent Acres beef is cold-aged a minimum of 10 days. This differentiates our product from others and results in superior meat texture. Our processors use vacuum packaging to eliminate freezer burn and to improve the storage life of our beef.

Meet the farmers

Working on his grandparents' farm inspired Francis to get involved in agriculture. After his honorable discharge from the Army and getting an engineering degree, Francis bought a farm in 2012.Veronica has a history of farming in her family and has been a part of the Ardent Acres team since 2014.​​The farmstead, near Palisade, MN, was built in 1919. Since 2012, work has been ongoing at the farm. Buildings and fences needed repairs and updates. These days, Francis and Veronica focus on raising healthy animals and producing wholesome beef and chicken.